Early Identification of Vulnerability and Complex Needs: Social Work Admission Assessment Tool

Abstract

Objectives To examine the suitability of the Social Work Admission Assessment Tool (SWAAT) in hospital settings, focusing on its association with emergency department use, social work intervention, and hospital readmission. Method SWAAT was administered during routine care over a three-month period in the emergency department and internal medicine units of two Portuguese hospitals. The sample included 436 service users aged 20–104 years. Results Higher SWAAT scores were associated with more frequent emergency department use and a greater likelihood of social work intervention. Age moderated the relationship between vulnerability and emergency department use. Social work intervention also moderated the association between vulnerability and hospital readmission. Discussion These findings support the usefulness of SWAAT as a structured resource for identifying social and clinical vulnerability and supporting referral and decision-making processes within interdisciplinary hospital care.